POTSDAM, N.Y.-Sophomore forward Dylan Vander Esch (San Jose, Calif./Hartford Wolfpack) scored 24 seconds into overtime to lift the SUNY Potsdam men’s hockey team (10-5-3) to a 3-2 victory over SUNY Canton (3-13-3) on Saturday night at Maxcy Ice Arena. Vander Esch had two goals in the contest and senior forward and fellow Californian Jake Rivera (Pacific Palisades, Calif./Hartford Wolfpack) provided the other in the Bears 10th win of the season. Sophomore goaltender Brendan McMenimen (Merrimack, Mass./Islanders Hockey Club) made 30 saves to improve to 8-4-1 on the season.
Kyle Matsumoto gave the Kangaroos a 1-0 lead at 13:33. The teams then traded fruitless power plays, before Vander Esch struck at 17:29 to tie the score. Sophomore defenseman Kyle Thacker (Mississauga, Ontario/North York Rangers) and senior forward Billy Pascalli (Deer Park, N.Y./New York Bobcats) each assisted on the play. Two minutes later, with 30 seconds left in the period, Rivera struck to make it 2-1.
The second period started with a Kangaroo being ejected for a contact to the head major penalty. The power play fired up the Bears, who outshot Canton 21-7 in the period, but they couldn’t solve Roos goalie Josh Erickson. At the 18:24 mark, Nick Lepone tied the game and the score remained knotted at 2-2 after 40 minutes.
The shots were even at 12-12 in the third period. Canton was awarded the contest’s final power play with 10:11 to go in regulation, but was unable to capitalize.
In overtime, junior forward Logan Brown (North Woodstock, N.H./Boston Rangers) found Vander Esch at the right side of the net for the game-winner.
Erickson finished a strong night with 43 saves. Canton was 0-for-4 on the power play and the Bears were 0-for-2.
The Bears return to SUNYAC play for the home stretch next weekend. On Friday, Potsdam heads to Buffalo State, followed by a Saturday battle at Fredonia.
